Executive Summary
Three Barrier Analysis (BA) studies were conducted in five regions of Lebanon to examine determinants of three key behaviors that have been promoted among displaced Syrians in Lebanon, yet require improvement to ensure improved maternal, neonatal, and child health and nutrition: 1) attending antenatal care during the first trimester of pregnancy, (2) exclusive breastfeeding, and (3) ensuring minimum dietary diversity during complementary feeding. International Medical Corps engaged partner organizations in Lebanon to conduct capacity building in the Barrier Analysis methodology and conduct three Barrier Analysis assessments among the displaced Syrian population to lend evidence to inform program activity design and advocacy.
Methodology. We closely followed the Barrier Analysis methodology, as specified in A Practical Guide to Conducting a Barrier Analysis (2013). For each behavior studied, we sampled at least 45 “Doers” and 45 “Non-Doers” across Lebanon, and conducted a one-on-one survey interview with each participant. Survey responses for open-ended questions were coded as a group, and all responses were analyzed for statistically significant differences between Doers and Non-Doers. International Medical Corps conducted initial interpretation of findings, and drafted “Bridges to Activities.” A workshop was then held with interested implementing partners in Lebanon to help inform interpretation, activities, and recommendations based on findings.
Results and Recommendations. The BA’s identified key factors that explain the differences between mothers of children (ages 0- 6 months) who exclusively breastfeed (EBF), pregnant women who attend 1 antenatal care (ANC) visit during their first trimester, and mothers of children (ages 9 – 23 months) who feed them meals containing foods from at least 4 of the 7 food groups each day. Specifically, 9 determinants were found to be significant for EBF, 6 determinants for ANC, and 8 determinants for Minimum Dietary Diversity. This report details these determinants and provides recommendations on how evidence from these assessments should be used to inform activity planning in International Medical Corps and other agencies’ programs in Lebanon, as well as contribute to advocacy toward policy changes that may be necessary to support behavior change.